Beer is as big a drawcard to the region as wine, according to South West Craft Beer Festival event director Jason Dover. The South West Craft Beer Festival, which is in its seventh year, will be held for the first time at 3 Oceans Winery on March 3. The event shines the spotlight on locally produced beverages from breweries in the southern end of the state. Mr Dover said the festival presented a chance for the industry to gather and to celebrate its success. “We feel the local beer industry has already established itself alongside the wineries from a tourism and destination perspective,” he said. “As a number of the bigger craft brewers around Australia are being bought out by multinational companies the true craft brewer is likely to get even more attention in the coming years in our opinion.” More than 20 breweries from Mandurah through to Denmark will be involved and more than 100 beers will be available for tasting. Cider, wine and sparkling will also be on offer for those seeking for an alternative. Mr Dover said it was an exciting time for the local industry, which had ‘exploded’ over the last six years. “Whilst there are more brewers now the quality is even better and they are all making beers that hold their own on a national and international level,” he said. “When you see the best craft beer lists released from the past year for WA Brewers, more than half of them are from those based in the South West. “The industry stalwarts like Colonial Brewing Co., Bootleg Brewery, Eagle Bay Brewing Co and Cowaramup Brewing Co. have been producing award-winning beers for the last decade. Now some of the new kids on the block like Artisan Brewing, Boston Brewing Co., Brewhouse and Cheeky Monkey Brewery and Cidery are raising the bar.” Brewers will partner with local producers and restaurants from the South West to deliver food to match their brews. 3 Oceans Winery chefs will also add gourmet options to complement the beer. Live music zones will feature up-and-coming artists from the region. Mr Dover said the 2018 festival would be bigger and better than ever. “We already have a selection of new brewers attending for the first time meaning a greater selection of beers and ciders for everyone to enjoy,” he said. “The new venue at 3 Oceans Winery is more central to the whole South West region, making the festival even more accessible to our local breweries and festival-goers.” Tickets for the 2018 South West Craft Beer Festival are available from Ticketek for $35. Tickets include four tasting tokens and a beer glass. For more information visit swbeerfest.com.au.

Booming South West beer industry celebrate

The South West Craft Beer Festival will be bigger and better than ever in 2018. Image supplied.

Beer is as big a drawcard to the region as wine, according to South West Craft Beer Festival event director Jason Dover.

The South West Craft Beer Festival, which is in its seventh year, will be held for the first time at 3 Oceans Winery on March 3.

The event shines the spotlight on locally produced beverages from breweries in the southern end of the state.

Mr Dover said the festival presented a chance for the industry to gather and to celebrate its success.

“We feel the local beer industry has already established itself alongside the wineries from a tourism and destination perspective,” he said.

“As a number of the bigger craft brewers around Australia are being bought out by multinational companies the true craft brewer is likely to get even more attention in the coming years in our opinion.”

More than 20 breweries from Mandurah through to Denmark will be involved and more than 100 beers will be available for tasting.

Cider, wine and sparkling will also be on offer for those seeking for an alternative.

Mr Dover said it was an exciting time for the local industry, which had ‘exploded’ over the last six years.

“Whilst there are more brewers now the quality is even better and they are all making beers that hold their own on a national and international level,” he said.

“When you see the best craft beer lists released from the past year for WA Brewers, more than half of them are from those based in the South West.

“The industry stalwarts like Colonial Brewing Co., Bootleg Brewery, Eagle Bay Brewing Co and Cowaramup Brewing Co. have been producing award-winning beers for the last decade. Now some of the new kids on the block like Artisan Brewing, Boston Brewing Co., Brewhouse and Cheeky Monkey Brewery and Cidery are raising the bar.”

Brewers will partner with local producers and restaurants from the South West to deliver food to match their brews.

3 Oceans Winery chefs will also add gourmet options to complement the beer.

Live music zones will feature up-and-coming artists from the region.

Mr Dover said the 2018 festival would be bigger and better than ever.

“We already have a selection of new brewers attending for the first time meaning a greater selection of beers and ciders for everyone to enjoy,” he said.

“The new venue at 3 Oceans Winery is more central to the whole South West region, making the festival even more accessible to our local breweries and festival-goers.”

Tickets for the 2018 South West Craft Beer Festival are available from Ticketek for $35.